Everton has signed a former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez as their new manager, with Spaniard on a three-year agreement, said the Premier League club on Wednesday.
Everton has been looking for new managers since Carlo Ancelotti, who led them 10 in the Premier League last season, returned to Real Madrid for the second spell.
“The appointment of Benitez came after a strong and extensive recruitment process by the club for the past three weeks – a process that has included several interviews with several candidates,” said the club in a statement.
Former manager Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nuno Espirito Santo was also associated with his role.
Benitez said he was happy.
“Throughout this process I have been very impressed with the ambitions shown by senior representatives at the club and their desire to bring success to this historic club,” he said.
“I believe this is a club going to places.
I am determined to play a big role in helping this big club reach his ambition.” Benitez manages Merseyside Everton Liverpool’s rivals from 2004-2010, leading them to Champions League glory in 2005 and the FA Cup the following season.
He also led Chelsea to the European League title in 2013 as their temporary manager.
After two seasons with Napoli and a short duty with Real Madrid, where he was fired in his first season, Benitez returned to England and took over Newcastle United who looked relegated in March 2016.
Even though the club was finally revealed to the second level championship, Benitez took them Return to the following season.
But the friction between him and club owner Mike Ashley leads to his departure in 2019.
Benitez moved to the Chinese Super League where he managed Dalian Professional, but left in January quoted the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Rafa really impressed us with his knowledge and experience, but, above all, the desire and hunger he showed to join our club,” said the majority shareholder Everton Moshiri.
“We appoint Rafa because we believe he will bring success to our club and for Everton people.
To put it only – we have to compete at the top of the league and to win the trophy.” Everton said the assistant manager Duncan Ferguson and Alan Kelly will join the Benitez backroom staff.